Orioles lineup vs. Yankees

Orioles lineup vs. Yankees
Dean Kremer has been recalled from the Orioles' alternate training site and returned to the rotation. He's starting tonight against the Yankees at Camden Yards. Kremer has made seven career starts, including three against the Yankees. He's allowed five runs and 10 hits with 10 walks and 19 strikeouts in 14 innings. A roster spot opened last night with reliever Jay Flaa optioned to the alternate site. Austin Hays is in left field again and batting second. Ryan Mountcastle is batting seventh...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
Will the Orioles have at least two rookies in their starting rotation on opening day? Manager Brandon Hyde isn't handing out jobs a day before pitchers and catchers report to spring training. Keegan Akin and Dean Kremer are expected to earn them, but that's exactly what they'll have to do. For now, Hyde is saying only that they've earned the opportunity. That is all. The rest is up to them. "I like to keep guys competitive," Hyde said during our recent video Q&A that's going to be...

Still searching for some answers before spring training

Still searching for some answers before spring training
A new day brings a new set of questions and curiosities. For instance: * Will left-hander Josh Rogers be invited to spring training next month? Rogers underwent a second procedure on his left elbow on July 3, 2019, this one called an "ulnar collateral ligament revision." He had Tommy John surgery during his senior year in high school. Making it through his rehab program without any setbacks, Rogers was able to face hitters in the fall instructional camp and work with pitching coach/director...

Leftovers for breakfast

Leftovers for breakfast
While the Orioles keeping waiting for Major League Baseball to establish its rules for 2021, especially roster sizes for spring training, they must prepare their case against outfielder Anthony Santander in next month's arbitration hearing. "Against" is a cringe-worthy word when considering his value to the club, his importance in the current state of the rebuild. But there's no other way to phrase it when one side wants to pay $2.1 million and the other side wants to receive $2.475...

Orioles facts and what we learned from them

Orioles facts and what we learned from them
It's what you learn after you know it all that counts. Hall of Famers John Wooden and Earl Weaver preached it. The phrase serves as the title of Weaver's autobiography. I'm using it this morning to lead everyone into my latest offseason collection of random facts. And most important, what we learned from them. No need to dig too deeply. Sometimes the answers are lying on the surface. Also, don't overlook an orchid while searching for a rose. Or something like that. * The Orioles were 18-11...

O's lose in 10 innings, fall 4 1/2 games behind Yankees (updated)

O's lose in 10 innings, fall 4 1/2 games behind Yankees (updated)
The Yankee Stadium whistle still works. The one that plays after an opponent's strikeout. No longer done for the benefit of fans. Every bit as irritating to teams that don't want to be serenaded after another empty at-bat. The Orioles heard it five times today in the first two innings. Nine times through the fifth. The other sound is a club stumbling backward. Down to their last 15 games in a truncated season, the Orioles have fallen 4 1/2 behind the Yankees following today's 2-1 10-inning...

Orioles activate Chris Davis from injured list

Orioles activate Chris Davis from injured list
The Orioles have reinstated first baseman Chris Davis from the 10-day injured list and designated utility player Dilson Herrera for assignment. Davis traveled with the team to New York yesterday after working out again at the alternate camp site in Bowie. He played in a simulated game on Saturday to test his injured knee. The Orioles placed Davis on the 10-day injured list on Aug. 21 with left knee patellar tendinitis. He was slashing .122/.173/.184 with three doubles, three walks and 16...

Because You Asked - Risk Addiction

Because You Asked - Risk Addiction
A day without baseball is like a day without sunshine. Except the forecast is calling for it today in Baltimore. Lots of it. A day without sunscreen could lead to a nasty burn. There's always the risk of a nasty burn when I sort through my mailbag. And the sarcasm doesn't require extra postage. You know the drill. You keep asking the same stuff and I keep answering it. Or I just make it up as I go along. I don't like stale bread - unless it's used for my mother's homemade stuffing - or...

Orioles overcome obstacles, end streak vs. Yankees (updated)

Orioles overcome obstacles, end streak vs. Yankees (updated)
The Orioles won't get much sympathy from the opposing dugout. No one on that side wants to hear about their injuries and misfortune. How their best starting pitcher this year unexpectedly was lost today to the injured list, the word "protocol" and their lack of information suggesting it's related in some fashion to COVID-19. How their top overall player left the first game of the doubleheader after feeling a twinge in his oblique, an injury that never heals quickly. There are no speedy...

Orioles go beyond regulation and lose again to Yankees 6-5

Orioles go beyond regulation and lose again to Yankees 6-5
Sometimes they sneak up on the Orioles rather than bulldoze them. The Yankees fell behind today after the first batter in the bottom of the first inning. They built a three-run lead and lost it. Their lineup was decimated by injuries and their starting pitcher was far south of elite status. Maybe this was the day that the Orioles' losing streak in head-to-head competition would end at 18 games. Maybe they wouldn't have to go into the nightcap of the doubleheader wondering if they can keep it...

Notes on roster moves, injuries, Phillips, Harvey and more

Notes on roster moves, injuries, Phillips, Harvey and more
The Orioles chose to deepen their bench instead of their bullpen this afternoon by selecting the contract of infielder Dilson Herrera from the alternate camp site in Bowie. Outfielder DJ Stewart was recalled as the replacement for outfielder Mason Williams, who's been designated for assignment. But the arrival of Herrera is tied to Hanser Alberto, who's day-to-day with a sore knee. Alberto jammed the knee on first base yesterday after laying down a sacrifice bunt in the 10th inning. He came...

Orioles roster moves and lineup

Orioles roster moves and lineup
Rather than bring in another reliever this afternoon, the Orioles have selected the contract of infielder Dilson Herrera from the alternate camp site in Bowie, recalled outfielder DJ Stewart and designated outfielder Mason Williams for assignment. The 40-man roster currently has 38 players and the 60-man pool has 57 players. The moves were made following yesterday's trade of reliever Miguel Castro to the Mets for minor league left-hander Kevin Smith and a player to be named later or cash...

Alternate camp allowing developmental process to proceed

Alternate camp allowing developmental process to proceed
The gradual dissolving of the 2020 minor league baseball season, a painfully slow execution akin to sporadic drops of water splashed onto a pile of sugar, had the Orioles scrambling to come up with ideas to prevent it from impeding the development of their prospects. Teams set up alternate training camp sites near their home ballparks. Plans were devised to incorporate workouts and games while abiding by rules that prohibited competition with outside clubs. The Orioles had to construct a staff...

Notes on rotation, taxi squad, opening day, Davis' outlook and more

Notes on rotation, taxi squad, opening day, Davis' outlook and more
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde is trying to set up the rest of his rotation without No 1. starter John Means, who's on the injured list with left shoulder fatigue. He appears to have made decisions through the first road trip. Alex Cobb and Wade LeBlanc start the last two games in Boston and Asher Wojciechowki gets the ball for Monday night's series opener against the Marlins in Miami. Hyde is leaning toward using Kohl Stewart the following night before the Orioles head back to Baltimore. The...

Orioles skillfully maneuver 40-man roster

Orioles skillfully maneuver 40-man roster
The Orioles demonstrated yesterday how they're able to do the 40-man roster dance without tripping over their own feet. It was an impressive feat. They had one open spot and a lengthy list of non-roster players competing for jobs, though Stevie Wilkerson dropped out due to a broken finger on his left hand. That's a lot of traffic and the potential for a massive pileup. But utility player Pat Valaika was the lone addition, pretty much winning a job in spring training prior to the shutdown. He...

Means on injured list and excluded from 30-man roster

Means on injured list and excluded from 30-man roster
The Orioles will begin the long-awaited 2020 season without their No. 1 starter and projected closer. John Means and Hunter Harvey have been placed on the 10-day injured list. Reliever Dillon Tate also is on the IL - with all three assignments backdated to Monday - but outfielder Dwight Smith Jr. has been activated and made the 30-man roster for Friday night's opening game against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. Manager Brandon Hyde indicated yesterday that Means likely would start against the...

Orioles inching closer to the opener (updated)

Orioles inching closer to the opener (updated)
Today marks the final time in 2020 that we can wonder whether the Orioles actually will make it to opening day without the coronavirus pandemic or any assortment of disasters and traumas again shutting down baseball. The completion of a 60-game season remains a dicey proposition, but the 30-man roster will be turned into Major League Baseball by noon, the Orioles will hold an optional workout and they'll head to Boston for their first opener at Fenway Park since 1966. "I think we're as ready...

Orioles moving on to finalization of roster for opening day

Orioles moving on to finalization of roster for opening day
The Orioles must turn in their opening day roster by noon Thursday and decide whether anyone else is headed for the injured list. They must sort through the pile of ailing players and figure out if it's smarter to just remove guys from the pool and send them to the alternate camp in Bowie. It's a job so big, they should hire interns. Infielder Richie Martin underwent wrist surgery and is on the 60-day injured list, pitcher Ty Blach had a ligament reconstructed in his left elbow and utility...

Orioles left with 6-4 loss to Nationals in rain-shortened exhibition

Orioles left with 6-4 loss to Nationals in rain-shortened exhibition
WASHINGTON - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde broke out a version of his lineup tonight that could be used against left-handed starters. Not a carbon copy necessarily, but a close reproduction. Dilson Herrera has to earn a spot on the roster and a chance to play left field, but there's preview potential in the final exhibition game. Austin Hays will lead off under any circumstances, as he did tonight against Nationals southpaw Patrick Corbin, but Hanser Alberto moved up from sixth to second in the...

Orioles lineup vs. Nationals

Orioles lineup vs. Nationals
The Orioles will take another look at utility candidate Dilson Herrera in left field tonight as they conclude their three-game exhibition schedule against the Nationals in D.C. Herrera played right field and second base last night at Camden Yards. His chances of making the club increased with news that Stevie Wilkerson suffered a fractured bone in his left ring finger. Austin Hays returns to the lineup and is leading off, followed by Hanser Alberto. Anthony Santander, who went 2-for-2 last...